THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND FITNESS TO OPTIMAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Abstract

The paper examined the role of physical activity and fitness more especially

in the area of disease prevention and control by looking at the major ways by which regular

physical activity and fitness contributes to optimal health and wellness. The Surgeor General’s

Report (1996), stressed that physical inactivity is a national problem which contributes to the

burden of unnecessary illness and premature death. The emphasis is therefore on moderate

physical activity and the focus on integration of physical activity into one’s lifestyle which

offers additional opportunities for sedentary individuals to improve their health through

participation in physical activities that are enjoyable, personally meaningful and fit more easily

into daily schedules.